Convention Bound

Boy, where did the week go? I had great plans of posting more cards and layouts and updating my banner before I left for Convention, but that never happened. Well, at least I will have a lot to post when I get back.
Have a great week everyone. *Ü*

Blog Backgrounds

I just found this website where you can download very cool blog backgrounds for free. I thought I would try it. Of course now my header doesn't match at all, but I can always redesign that...when I have a little extra time that is. I think I will try this out for a few days before I take the time to design a matching header.

What do you guys think? Is it too hard to read the blog and see the photos now?

Turning One Layout

This is a layout of my little one on her first birthday. I love CTMH's More to Adore paper and was excited to pull it out for this project. I also used the August Stamp of the Month called Today's Date and marked her birthday on the August stamp with a CTMH Sparkle. I plan to make a facing page with some photos of her digging into her cake. She made a mess, but it made for some cute photos.
All products CTMH unless otherwise noted: Cardstock: White Daisy, Hollyhock, Chocolate Stamps: Today's Date, Hodgepodge Alphabet, Building Blocks Alphabet Ink: Baby Pink, Hollyhock, Chocolate Patterned Paper: More to Adore Other: Big Pinks Flowers, Dimensional Elements Fresh Shapes, Sanding Kit, Buttons, Sparkles

Cupcake Card

I finally put together a few more stamps that I got during SU!'s Sale-a-bration promo a few months back. This card uses their cute cupcake from Cause for Celebration. I also used Papertrey's Polka Dot Basics set for the Chocolate dots and my rectangle Nesties to make the cutout on the Baby Pink and Chocolate (CTMH) cardstock. I used Liquid Appliqué for the frosting and sprinkled on a bit of CTMH Prisma Glitter. For the final touch I added some CTMH White Daisy Organdy Ribbon with a CTMH Friendship Dangle backed with Chocolate cardstock. The card isn't exactly what I had envisioned, but I guess it came out ok.

Blog Award

I was nominated for this award by two very talented bloggers, Jeani and Jena! Thank you, ladies! *Ü*

The rules for this award are as follows: 1) The winner can post the logo on her blog. 2) Link the person you received your award from. 3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs. 4) Put links of those blogs on yours. 5) Leave a message on the blogs you've nominated. In my usual fashion, I am not going to nominate just 7. There are so many talented people out there whose art inspires me daily. (Although I must admit I have not been on the computer as much lately as you may have noticed by my lack of posts and comments.) Check out the list of blogs I have to the left. They are some of my favorites. I have many more to add which I will try to do this week.

Thanks again for the award. I am honored.

Summer Layout

Thanks again for everyone's prayers for Ric's family. You are all so sweet!

As promised, here is a little art...
This is a pretty simple layout using CTMH's Laid Back Papers. I made the flip flops out of cardstock and then punched three holes in them and added the ribbon. They might have looked better if I used thinner ribbon, but this was all I had at the time. I will post the "ingredients" tomorrow. Right now I need to hit the hay. I am exhausted. I just wanted to get something more uplifting posted tonight. Nighty-night.

Update on Ric...

Thank you for all of your emails and prayers for Ric and his family. Unfortunately, the outcome was not what we had all hoped. They found his body this afternoon. Here is a link with a little more information, in case you are interested. Thank you again for your prayers. I know his family really appreciates it and so do I.

I promise to post again soon with something more uplifting...maybe even a card or a layout. *Ü*

Please pray...

I apologize. I know this isn't an artwork post, but I feel like I need to ask for prayer from anyone who is willing. My best friend contacted me this morning to tell me that their friend Ric is missing. He and his family went on a camping/hiking trip up to the Sierras over 4th of July weekend. His wife dropped Ric off on Fri., July 4th at a hiking area so that he could hike (solo) along Bishop Pass and "bag a couple of peaks." I guess this area is considered a class 2 which means it is "hiking" rather than climbing.....but Ric is a bit adventurous at times and can get a bit off route to make his hikes a bit more "fun." He was expected to be at home Fri July 4th around 4pm but never showed. After being missing for over 18 hours, the park rangers started to get together a search & rescue team. They started searching late Sat (July 5th) afternoon. They saw his signature at one of the peaks (there is a can with a journal and pencil inside...and when you reach the top you can sign your name.) This was good news because it helped them determine some sort of starting point. However, as of about two days ago, the search and rescue team had to stop searching. I guess when they don't find any clues after a certain amount of time, they have to stop. Our friend Joe and a few other guys are still out there searching for him on their own.

There was a story about it on Fox News on the 10th. Here is a link if you'd like to see it.

If you feel lead, please pray for Ric's safe return and for his wife and daughter....who are just waiting to hear about anything.

Thanks so much!!

Sweet Baby Card

I am slowly catching up with my projects so I will hopefully have more to post soon. In the meantime, I just received my Nestabilities Rectangles order along with my Birds and Swirls Embossing Folder. I ordered them from Cutathome.com back in May and they were on back order until now. I wanted to take a break from my other projects to make something with these new goodies.
This is a real quick card using the Largest Rectangle and Largest Scallop Rectangle Nestabilities. I folded a piece of CTMH Baby Pink cardstock in half and then die cut it with the Scallop Die hanging over the folded side just a tiny bit. This made it so that the card would open without falling apart. I used a CTMH Baby Pink Marker to color in just one of the birds. I also used Papertrey's Mixed Messages stamp set with CTMH's Baby Pink Ink. I found some pink gingham ribbon at Walmart that I used with a CTMH Connections Club reward for the little charm.
When I get more time, I will play a little more with my new goodies and post whatever I come up with. In the meantime, thanks for your patience. I know I haven't posted much lately. I have received a few emails from people telling me that they miss me and my artwork. Those emails made me feel good. At least I know that someone appreciates the little things I make.

Have a great afternoon. *Ü*

Happy 4th of July!

I am so sorry that I have been gone so much. I am still working on some things that I can't post yet along with having my in-laws in town and nursing a sick family (including myself) back to health...

Anyway, here is a layout that I just finished with photos from last 4th of July. I thought it would be appropriate to post them today as we celebrate our Nation's Birthday.
All products CTMH unless otherwise noted: Cardstock: Colonial White, Cranberry, Outdoor Denim Stamps: July Word Puzzle, Memory Labels, Simple Stitches, Calendar, Vintage USA Ink: Outdoor Denim, Cranberry Patterned Paper: Blue Ribbon Other: Big Pinks Flowers, Circle Window Charms, Sanding Kit, Edge Distresser, Twill, Photo Hangers